Robert Frazier will spend 14 days in jail and pay court costs and a veterinarian bill. (Photo: Darke Co. Jail)

DARKE COUNTY, Ohio (WKEF/WRGT) - An Ansonia man is currently serving jail time in Darke County after pleading guilty to a felony charge of animal cruelty.

This is the first felony conviction in Darke County under the state's new animal cruelty laws. In December of 2017, a dog was found behind Robert Frazier's home, starved and frozen to death. The dog was examined by a veterinarian which confirmed the humane society agent's findings.

Frazier recently pleaded guilty to a fifth degree felony charge of cruelty to animals. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, but will only spend 14 days there, having already served 16 days. Frazier will also have to pay restitution, a veterinarian bill and court costs.

"It’s sad we need laws in place to make people treat animals in a decent way," said Agent Dustin Wills, who is the shelter director for the Darke County Humane Society.

He went on to say he's glad for the state's new animal cruelty laws, which give the humane society more power when it comes to charging offenders.

"Hopefully this will show the people that we are not playing around. We will not tolerate this behavior in our county," Wills said.